Alex Moschopoulos

I’d only tell you to get Windows if you’re prepared to spend the same money you would spend on a Mac.

In my book, you’ll always have problems with ANY $200-$500 laptop.

I’ve used Windows and prefer it…but I only use high-end laptops because they will have solid hardware and a clean operating system.  The Macbooks are the same thing, outside of the overheating problems.

Too many have Windows problems because they buy cheap crappy laptops.

I go anywhere legally.

If none of the online MP3 shops have your tune, then do Google searches…see if any new shops pop up.

If all else fails, then go on GEMM.com or eBay and buy a vinyl or CD of it (if someone is selling it).  Rip it to audio file.

I wholeheartedly agree.

However, I’m sure no matter what it’s “repackaged” as, it’ll just end up as “pop”.  I still remember when many clubs were playing loads of rap and R&B between 2002 and 2007.  Most of the time it was just any pop artist who did music in the “rap music tempo”.  You couldn’t really play “rap”, because it was deemed as “too black”.  Same happened with most R&B.  If it wasn’t some poppy Beyonce or Nelly Furtado tune, the crowd deemed it “too black”.  Funniest were girls requesting “hip-hop”, then naming BRITNEY SPEARS as an example. *facepalm*

I’m sure the next wave will sound different from the old, but it’ll be the next music to get watered down and dominate radio and the trendy clubs.

Are you looking to play weddings?

That’s the bread and butter for mobile DJs.

1. What kind of places play this genre of music?

Small, underground clubs and lounges.  That particular tune is what I would see as “minimal tech house”.  Usually only times I see that played is by opening DJs in the underground spots.

I’ll also sometimes hear this music in hair salons and fashion boutiques.

2. Is there a strong demand for these types of DJ’s?

I’d probably say “no” when you compare to the amount of places who just want guys who “play the hits” and especially make girls happy.  I’ll see a lot of DJs who try and want to be a successful DJ playing this, but too often they end up going nowhere.  The few who actually do go somewhere are producing this stuff, and being very imaginative in the booth.  That means they’re layering 3-4 tracks at a time on each other.

3. When DJ’ing this type of music, is there (typically) a full dance floor getting to the groove of the music?

I play stuff I deem as “deep house” or “tech house”, but even my selections have more energy and life than that tune you showed.  I’d honestly see this tune clearing a floor unless you happen to be lucky enough to have an open-minded crowd.

MIND YOU THOUGH…that tune on your headphones in your home or work won’t sound as good compared to a big system in a club.  Even then, minimal tunes like that are more “blank slates” you can play with.  Use filtering, layer on other tracks or even accapellas, etc.  I’ve seen music snobs smugly praise this music…but later complain when it seems no one will give it a chance.

I wrote an article on my web design portfolio blog on this:

http://www.amportfolio.com/knowledge/2012/01/23/the-age-of-software-piracy-is-over

Long story short, a friend of mine downloaded a bootleg copy of DVDFab (DVD ripping software).  When he installed it, his virus alert came up, and he kept getting warning messages claiming it was quarantined.  This did not come from some “keygen” file, but from the install file itself.  Hackers are able to hide malware into the install files.  This particular one would have sent out any usernames/passwords he might enter online somewhere.

DJ software has dropped in price to the point that it’s easily affordable.  So why pirate anymore?  In the article I wrote, I showed how one could get design/productivity software free and legal.

When it comes to music, I admitted I’ve pirated in the past.  What made me stop simply was how the tunes I wanted were not out there in the P2P networks. Plus I try to embrace quality over quantity…meaning I’d rather pay for 10 good tracks over illegally downloading 100 mediocre or even terrible tracks.

I’ve seen guys show up to club gigs with 1TB hard drives and barely use more than 5% of their library.  Better to just take 10% with you and deal with that.

Easiest advice are these four questions:

1) What do you personally like better?

2) Is your preferred choice easy to get when you’re purchasing music?

3) Will your preferred choice cause you problems in terns of storage or performance?

4) With all that in mind, what honestly works better for you?

For the longest time I used 192 kbps MP3s…even when many DJs moved up to 320 kbps and some music snobs touted “wav or flac only”.  I mainly thought about performance, as I’d see those large-size wav or flac files strain some computers and laptops.  When I moved on to Thinkpads and was able to perform better at 320 kbps, then I moved on and left 192 kbps behind.

I now try to keep wav file backups of my old vinyl records, but I still stick with 320 kbps MP3s.  The main reason is practicality.  Wav files take up a lot of space on hard drives, and I’d rather be able to carry more music than please a few audiophiles in a room full of drunks who honestly don’t care.  I’m even more skeptical of the idea of going cloud with your music.  I can’t fathom most Wifi or cellular connections being able to effectively stream high quality files in a club or party setting, or seeing a DJ being able to easily download these files on a whim.

Sometimes you have to say “no”.

“no…I don’t play that tune”

“no…that tune doesn’t fit the format of the night”

“no…I don’t have an internet connection, and even if I did I’m not going to risk a crash to illegally download something”

“no…I’m not playing tunes off your iPhone.  Once I open that Pandora’s box everyone will be strolling up handing me smartphones”

“the more you annoy me, the less likely I’m going to play your tune.  Spend $1000 or more on bottles and then you’ll get priority service.”

“oh you know the owner or the promoter?  good friends?  then why aren’t they up here telling me to play your request?”

“Yes I will play your request…but not now at 10PM.  We’re open til 4AM, and that tune is something you play at midnight or later.  You say you’re leaving soon to hop to the next club?  Then why should I do anything for you if you’re not going to stay and patronize the club?”

Requests are a part of life, but sometimes the only way you’ll make them stop or slow down is when you put your foot down.  If you’re a mobile DJ, then you have to play them.  In a club or bar you don’t…not unless this person is a big spender or someone important enough to merit the added care.